Cindy McCain, left, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, embraces daughter Bridget at the convention Tuesday. After an abbreviated opening day, the convention was in full swing Tuesday with dancing and speeches.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Much of the night looked backward. To Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. To Teddy Roosevelt and even Abraham Lincoln.

But the mood on the floor and throughout the halls of the Xcel Energy Center was merry and jubilant, and no one could stop talking about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. John McCain.

Delegates swing-danced on the floor to “Johnny Be Good.” The women, bedecked in rhinestone “McCain 2008” pins and sequined red, white and blue hats, swayed to country music and chanted “U-S-A” at several points throughout the night of speeches.

There were standing ovations, group hugs, sign waving and prayers. One of the speakers said he was a Democrat, and people booed. When Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s eloquence was no substitute for substance, he got a standing ovation.

In other words, it was typical partisan convention fare on Day 2 in Minnesota, and people were relieved.

Compared with Monday’s subdued and abbreviated meeting, Tuesday was electric. Through several tributes to McCain, delegates waved signs that read “Service” and “Country First” instead of his or Palin’s name.

John Munger, an Arizona delegate, said the convention’s energy was what the party needed.

“The difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans want to change Washington and Democrats want to change America,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with America. They think America is broken and needs to be fixed into some European model. The change needs to come in Washington.”

Denver delegate Ryan Call said that Tuesday’s tributes were about honoring Republican greats and reaching to the roots.

“To Barack Obama’s credit, he’s created an identity, but for Republicans — and most Americans — past and roots define us and provide guidance,” Call said.

The convention focused mostly on service until former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson took the stage. The one-time candidate for president turned his homespun rhetoric on Obama.

“I thought Fred Thompson hit it out of the park,” said Sandy Froman, an attorney from Tucson and an Arizona delegate. “He sort of got some real sword thrusts in that got to the heart of things.”

First-time conventioneer Monica Owens, the 25-year-old daughter of former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, said Tuesday’s merriment felt like what she expected. She took a small video camera out of her purse during President Bush’s speech.

She is most looking forward to Palin’s speech today.

“She’s a woman leader. I’m excited to finally have someone on our ticket who’s a woman,” she said. “It’s something to be proud of.”

The owners of Boulder’s Sterling University Peaks apartments, who this summer were cited for illegally subdividing 92 bedrooms in the complex, have reached an agreement to settle the case for $410,000, the city announced Thursday.